Metal detectors pick up brass without any trouble, and if you have ever wondered why, the answer comes down to simple science. Brass is a non-ferrous alloy made from copper and zinc, and it carries high electrical conductivity, which makes it one of the easier metals for a detector to find.
That strong conductivity, not magnetism, is the real reason brass shows up so clearly on a detector. A detector cares about how well a metal conducts electricity, and brass performs strongly in that department, so it produces a solid, readable signal almost every time you swing over it.
Our team at Garrett will walk through how that detection process actually works, what brass typically reads as on your target ID, and how to adjust your settings so you stop walking past it in the field.
Key Takeaways
- Conductivity, not magnetism, is what makes brass detectable, producing a strong, readable signal.
- Brass typically reads in the 60 to 85 range on many detector’s target ID scales, though it can overlap with copper and aluminum.
- Aggressive discrimination settings can accidentally filter out small brass items along with junk metal like foil or pull tabs.
- Tone consistency and ID stability across swing angles matter more than the number alone when confirming a real target.
- Practice digs with known brass items help you learn how your specific machine reads and sounds on real brass.
- Garrett’s Vortex VX9 detector and Pro Pointer AT are built to help detectorists confidently find and recover brass targets in the field.
Why Metal Detectors Pick Up Brass So Well
The Role of Electromagnetic Induction
A metal detector works by sending an electromagnetic field out through its search coil. When that field passes over a conductive metal like brass, it creates a small electrical current inside the metal, and that current sends a signal back to the coil.
Because brass conducts electricity well, it disrupts the field in a way that is easy for the detector to interpret. This is why brass targets tend to produce clean, consistent tones instead of the weak or broken signals you might get from a poor conductor.
Brass Is Non-Magnetic — But That Doesn’t Matter
A lot of people assume a metal has to be magnetic to be detectable, but that is not how metal detectors work. Brass will not stick to a magnet, and some beginners take that to mean it is harder to find, but that assumption is simply wrong.
Detectors are not measuring magnetism at all. They are measuring conductivity and the way a metal interacts with the electromagnetic field, and brass performs well on both counts even though it has no magnetic pull whatsoever, which is a common point of confusion covered in the guide on metal detector basics.
How Brass Shows Up on Your Detector
Target ID Numbers Explained
Most digital metal detectors display a target ID number on a scale that usually runs from 0 to 99. Brass typically lands somewhere in the mid-to-high range, often between the low 60s and the high 80s depending on the size of the metallic object, the detector, and the specific item.
That said, the exact number will shift based on the size, shape, and depth of the object. A large brass buckle buried a few inches down might read differently than a small brass button sitting deeper in the soil, so learning how to read a metal detector display will help you treat the ID as a helpful guide rather than an exact promise.
| Item Type | Typical Target ID Range |
| Small brass button | 55 to 65 |
| Brass shell casing | 60 to 75 |
| Large brass buckle or hinge | 70 to 85 |
| Brass plumbing fitting | 65 to 80 |
Brass vs. Similar Metals on the ID Scale
Brass often reads close to copper and can sometimes overlap with aluminum, which makes it tricky to tell these metals apart using the number alone. Copper tends to run slightly higher on many machines, but the ranges can blend together depending on the object’s shape and how deep it sits.
This overlap happens because target ID is based on conductivity, and several metals share similar conductive properties. Two completely different objects, like a brass token and an aluminum pull tab, can sometimes land on nearby numbers, which is why relying only on the ID without digging can cause you to second guess a real find.
| Metal | Typical Target ID Range | Conductivity Level |
| Brass | 60 to 85 | High |
| Copper | 65 to 90 | Very High |
| Aluminum | 50 to 70 | Moderate to High |
Common Brass Finds While Detecting
Brass shows up in all kinds of everyday and historical objects, which is part of why it is such a common target for detectorists. Knowing what to expect can help you recognize a good signal before you even dig, whether you are hunting inland or metal detecting on the beach.
- Shell casings
- Antique hardware like hinges, buttons, and buckles
- Old relics and tokens
- Plumbing fittings or fixtures
Once you start noticing these patterns, brass finds tend to stop feeling random and start feeling familiar. Each type of object tends to carry its own size, shape, and depth tendencies, which over time helps you build a better instinct for what a promising brass signal sounds like before the shovel ever comes out.
The Discrimination Trap: Why You Might Be Missing Brass
How Discrimination Settings Work
Discrimination is a feature that lets you filter out certain conductivity ranges so your detector ignores signals from unwanted metals like foil or iron. It works by comparing the target ID of whatever the coil detects to the ranges you have told the machine to skip.
This feature can save time in areas full of junk metal, but it comes with a tradeoff. The detector cannot always tell the difference between trash and a good target when their conductivity ranges sit close together.
The Risk of Filtering Out Small Brass Items
Small brass items often read in a similar range to common trash metals like pull-tabs and foil, so aggressive discrimination settings can accidentally cut them out along with the junk. This is especially true for thin or lightweight brass pieces that do not produce as strong a signal as larger objects.
If you are hunting an older site where small brass relics are likely, dialing your discrimination too high can mean walking right over real finds without ever knowing they were there. A more cautious setting, even if it means digging a bit more trash, tends to protect you from missing good targets.
Tips for Reliably Detecting Brass in the Field
Adjust Discrimination Carefully
When you are working an older site or an area known for historical items, it helps to start with lower discrimination and dig more of the signals you get. This approach costs you a little extra time, but it keeps small brass pieces from getting filtered out before you ever hear the tone.
As you get more comfortable with your machine, you can slowly raise discrimination in areas where you know trash metal is heavy, while still staying cautious in spots where brass relics are more likely to turn up. Working through some general metal detecting tips can also help you fine tune these settings over time.
Pay Attention to Target ID Patterns, Not Just Numbers
Rather than trusting a single number, it helps to listen to the tone quality and check whether the signal stays consistent as you swing over it from different angles. A strong, repeatable tone paired with a steady ID is usually a better sign of a solid target than the number alone.
Depth consistency matters too. If a signal sounds the same from multiple directions and the ID does not jump around wildly, that consistency often points to a real metal object rather than a false signal or mineral interference.
Practice Test Digs
One of the best ways to learn how your specific detector handles brass is to bury a few known brass items at different depths in your yard and dig them up with your machine. This lets you see exactly what tone and ID your detector produces for real brass objects before you take it out into the field.
Over time, these practice digs help you build a mental library of what brass sounds and reads like on your particular machine, which makes it much easier to recognize a genuine brass signal when you are out at one of your favorite good metal detecting locations.
Detectors To Help You Find Brass with Confidence
If you are ready to put these detection principles to work, having the right equipment makes a real difference in how confidently you can pick up brass signals in the field. A well built detector and a reliable pinpointer turn theory into consistent finds. At Garrett, we offer both of these tools with brass and other non-ferrous conductors in mind, so pairing the right gear with the right technique goes a long way toward better results.
Garrett Vortex VX9
The Garrett Vortex VX9 is a fully waterproof detector built with Multi-Dimensional Multi-Frequency technology to deliver strong, accurate signals on conductive metals like brass. Its wide range of frequencies and search modes gives you the flexibility to fine tune detection for the specific site you are hunting.
- Multi-Dimensional Multi-Frequency (MD-MF) technology with 7 frequency options for reading a wide range of conductivity levels
- 3-tier target ID scale that helps separate brass from ferrous trash and other non-ferrous metals
- 7 search modes, including Beach and Custom, for adjusting discrimination to the site you are hunting
- Fully submersible design rated to 16 feet, with a 15-hour rechargeable battery for extended field time
Because brass depends on strong conductivity to produce a clear signal, the VX9’s multi-frequency sensitivity and refined target ID scale help you separate real brass finds from surrounding trash with far more confidence.
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT
The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is a fully waterproof handheld pinpointer designed to help you zero in on a target the moment your main detector gives you a signal. Its compact size and simple controls make it easy to use even when you are digging in tight or awkward spots.
- Fully submersible to 20 feet with an IP 68 waterproof rating for wet sites and shallow water hunts
- Three adjustable sensitivity levels for locking onto small or shallow brass items with more precision
- Simple single-button controls for power, retuning, and sensitivity adjustment while you are in the field
- Lost pinpointer alarm and auto-off feature that helps protect battery life during long hunts
Once your detector’s target ID and tone point you toward a likely brass signal, the Pro-Pointer AT helps you recover it quickly and accurately, cutting down on wasted digging and missed finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does brass rust or corrode underground?
Brass does not rust the way iron does, since rust is a reaction specific to iron and its alloys. It can develop a greenish patina over time from exposure to moisture and soil chemicals, but this coating rarely affects a detector’s ability to read it.
Can all metal detectors detect brass, including cheaper models?
Yes, even entry-level metal detectors can detect brass because it is a strong conductor. Budget machines might have a smaller detection range or less precise target ID readouts, but they will still pick up a solid brass signal at reasonable depths, which is worth keeping in mind if you are just picking a good metal detector for beginners.
Is brass easier or harder to detect than gold or silver?
Brass is generally easier to detect than gold because gold has lower conductivity and often comes in smaller, thinner pieces like jewelry. Silver conducts even better than brass, so silver items can sometimes produce a slightly stronger signal, but brass still detects reliably in most conditions.
Understanding How Metal Detectors Can Detect Brass
Brass is one of the more detectable metals you will come across in the field, thanks to its strong electrical conductivity. Magnetism has nothing to do with it, so do not let the fact that brass ignores a magnet make you doubt your detector’s ability to find it.
The real key to consistently finding brass is managing your discrimination settings with care, especially in areas where small or older items are likely to turn up. Dial back your discrimination, pay attention to tone and consistency rather than just the number, and get back out there swinging with more confidence.
Ready to start turning more of those signals into real finds? A detector that reads conductivity well, paired with settings tuned for the site you are hunting, is often all it takes to stop walking past good brass targets. Explore Garrett’s lineup of detectors and pinpointers to find the setup that fits your style of hunting, then get out there and put it to work.